The Assistant National Deputy President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, South South, Bishop Emmah Isong, has said the current hardship affecting a large section of Nigerians has the capacity to increase the rate of corruption as people have become desperate to survive.
The Bishop observed that the fight against corruption should take into account the need to address the basic needs of the people which include good roads, food and regular payment of salaries.

In a chat with Vanguard, the cleric said “Nigerians are very easy people to lead; all a leader needs to do is to ensure that there is food for the people, good roads, pay salaries but if things are allowed to continue like this, there is a level of hunger which can cause people to revolt.
“So the government should not concentrate solely in fighting corruption but should endeavour to create a viable economic atmosphere to help put food on the table.”
While noting that laying off workers is aggravating the hardship in the land, the President of Central Christian Chapel International said in order to create jobs for people as many companies and industries were folding up, the current administration should draw up an economic blue print that will focus on increased agricultural production and rehabilitation of infrastructure.

“Those who ordinarily would have kept away from corruption could out of desperation to make ends meet be forced to engage in corrupt practices just to survive.

“The question is, are we going to be alive in Nigeria till 2019 with the level of hardship the people are going through?
“This situation has the tendency to make people who ordinarily would have stayed away from corrupt practices to engage in corruption.

“I can testify that Nigerians are feeling the impact of the hardship as 17 of my members have opted to return to their villages because they have either been laid off work or have closed their businesses and so cannot pay their rents and feed their families,” the Bishop stated.